Australia set to tighten citizen test
The requirements for candidates to become permanent citizens in Australia have been increased.
SOUTH Africans thinking of emigrating to Australia and New Zealand will be facing stricter rules – not only to become a citizen but also to earn a work visa.
This comes after Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull recently announced that they would be abolishing the country’s current temporary work visa programme and increase the standards of its citizenship test.
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The current visa programme will reportedly be replaced and the list of occupations that qualify for a work visa will also be significantly reduced.
To become a permanent citizen candidates one would now have to prove permanent residency for at least four years, as opposed to the previous one-year requirement.
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The candidates would also have to be competent English speakers, produce a proven job record and prove that they have successfully integrated into the local community.
Following Turnbull’s statement New Zealand officials announced that they would also be ‘tightening’ access to its skilled work visas.
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